Wonders of New Zealand and Australia

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival at the Auckland International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.




Overnight in Auckland

This morning you will head on a half-day tour of Auckland that is packed with city sights and historical landmarks! Board your coach and travel through the city center, along Karangahape Road as you discover its diverse vibe and pass by the fashionable Ponsonby area. Make your way over the Auckland Harbour Bridge as you take in the breathtaking views of the Hauraki Gulf and the city skyline. Visit the Viaduct Harbour and discover Auckland's famous Queen Street before making your way to the Auckland Domain. The Domain is the city's oldest park, and, at 75 hectares, one of the largest. Developed around an extinct volcano, the park boasts tropical gardens, duck ponds, and public art, and is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. After visiting the Domain, your tour will continue to the Parnell Village for a short morning tea stop (at your own expense). The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed into a trendy shopping area featuring a wide range of boutiques, craft, and specialty stores. From there you will be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.




Overnight in Auckland

Today you will discover the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand along with the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Your tour will also take you to the famous glowworm caves of Waitomo. Depart Auckland in the morning to travel the breathtaking farmlands of the Waikato and King Country regions as you listen to the commentary from your driver guide. Learn about the history of the region as you pass by sites of interest such as Rangiriri, the site of a major battle in the Maori Land Wars in 1863. Your first stop will be in the small town of Waitomo, where you will head on a 45-minute guided tour through the world-famous Waitomo Caves. Travel through these underground limestone caverns, discovered in 1887, and find out how the incredible stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating rock formations were formed over a period of 30 million years. Your tour will end with a short yet magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto — a subterranean cavern illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms. After that you will visit Rotorua, in the heart of the Central North Island. Visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Puia's marae (meeting house) where you will receive a traditional welcome and an invitation to see a Maori cultural performance, where ancient and modern stories will be told through songs, dance, poi, and stick games. You will develop an understanding of this unique culture and history as you are entertained by the talented and charismatic performers. You will be transfered back to Auckland by the end of the tour.




Overnight in Auckland.



* We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a warm jacket for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival in Christchurch, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or book an optional tour.




Overnight in Christchurch

Hop on your coach for a half-day tour of Christchurch. The trip will start by covering the central city highlights including the botanical gardens, the Museum and Art Centre, the Avon River, the Bridge of Remembrance, the city's new pop-up container mall, and many other CBD* highlights. As you leave the inner city, the coach will take you to Mona Vale and its historic homestead and gardens. You will travel up to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building boasting breathtaking views of the city, the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps, and make your way over the Port Hills to the Port of Lyttleton. Travel through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and the cave rock before returning to the central city. The tour will end at approximately 12:00 PM, at which time hotel drop-offs will commence.



*Please note that the tour of the CBD can change daily due to road closures and new areas re-opening.




Overnight in Christchurch

Today you will head on an intercity tour of Queenstown. En route, discover the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps with a sightseeing day tour via Mount Cook. Leaving Christchurch in the morning, you will travel through the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the breathtaking glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, where you can see the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd and take in the sights of the extraordinary Southern Alps. Continue your tour to New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, situated in a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rising 3,724 meters high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name; Maori is translated to 'cloud piercer'. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now make up the Southern Alps. Spend time at the famous Hermitage Hotel in the village of Mount Cook (lunch will not be included). After lunch, you will have time to explore the village and take in the view. Alternatively, you will have time to head on a scenic helicopter or ski plane flight to uncover breathtaking views of the mountain peaks and glaciers (at an additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver-guide on the day). The tour will continue south, past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. En route, enjoy a hot cup of afternoon tea (at your own expense) in the quaint village of Omarama. If time permits, visit the Jones Family Orchard near Cromwell. Your tour will end at approximately 6:30 PM upon reaching Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.




Overnight in Queenstown

Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.




Overnight in Queenstown

Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.




Overnight in Queenstown

In the morning you will check out from your hotel, and, at the arranged time, you will be transferred to the Queenstown International Airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.




Overnight in Melbourne

This mornings tour will be packed with city sights and historical landmarks. Experience the hustle and bustle of Melbourne as your driver guide will let you know what to look out for along the way. First, you will explore Melbournes city centre. Considered the shopping capital of Australia, this city and the surrounding suburbs are home to modern shopping malls and boutique stores featuring world-class brands and products. You will see fine examples of Melbournes architectural splendors including St. Pauls Cathedral and the Princess and Regent Theatres. Discover the Royal Exhibition Buildings and the Federation Square — and stroll through Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, where you will see rare and beautiful species of plants, breathtaking landscapes, and iconic buildings. Visit the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens set on 26 hectares; these gardens were classified by the National Trust in 1974 and are highly valued for their historic and horticultural significance. Here, you can visit the Conservatory, known for its incredible floral display, or explore the quaint Tudor Village. See Captain Cook's Cottage (entrance not included). This lovely little cottage, situated in the heart of the Fitzroy Gardens, was the original home of Captain James Cooks parents. It has been carefully restored and maintained, filled with furniture of the period, and surrounded by a garden of the 18th century. See the bustling Queen Victoria Market and Albert Park, home to the Australian Grand Prix. Next, stop for a photo at the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial built to honor the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I. It is now a memorial to all Australians who have served at war. Your tour will end at Federation Square around noon. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.




Overnight in Melbourne

Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.




Overnight in Melbourne

Early this morning you will make your own way (transfer will not be included) to Melbournes Southern Cross Railway Station to board your train to Sydney. Upon arrival at the Sydney Central Station, make your own way to the hotel (transfer will not be included). Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.




Overnight in Sydney

This morning you will head on a half-day tour around Sydney (transfer not included. The meeting point is Wheat Road, the Streetside behind the Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour. The tour will depart at 8:00 AM). You will discover many points of interest including the Rocks, Sydney Opera House, and Mrs. Macquaries Chair for breathtaking views of the harbour and city skyline. Head on a journey to Bondi Beach, the most famous surfing beach in Australia, where you can wander along the shoreline and dip your toes into the cool ocean. Your next stop will be the entrance of the Sydney Harbour, known as the Gap. With a dramatic ocean cliff on the eastern coast of Sydney, the Gap provides breathtaking views of the coastline. Return to Sydney through the famous suburbs of Double Bay, Paddington, and Kings Cross. The tour will end around noon and you may disembark in either Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. Make your own way back to the hotel (transfer will not be included). Spend the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Sydney

Spend the day at leisure or pre-book an optional tour.




Overnight in Sydney

In the morning, at the arranged time, you will be picked up and transferred to the Sydney International Airport for your flight back home.